The Fundamental Elements of Southtown

The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
Studio album by
P.O.D.
Released August 24, 1999
Recorded February – April 1999
Studio The Gallery, Sherman Oaks, California; Sparky Dark, Calabasas, California; Mates, North Hollywood, California
Genre
Length 57:43
Label Atlantic
Producer Howard Benson
P.O.D. chronology
The Warriors EP
(1998) 		The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
(1999) 		Satellite
(2001)
Alternative cover
Censored cover
Singles from The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
  1. "Southtown"
    Released: February 2000
  2. "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)"
    Released: August 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Cross Rhythms
HM
Jesus Freak Hideout
Q

The Fundamental Elements of Southtown is the third studio album and major label debut of Christian nu metal band P.O.D., released on August 24, 1999. It went on to become the band's first platinum album, peaking at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart in April 2000. It was the 143rd best-selling album of 2000 in the United States. "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" became the album's singles, both of which were accompanied by music videos. The album also includes a cover of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky".

Cover art

The cover art displayed on The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was censored when sold in Christian bookstores. Retailers complained about the depiction of a cigar and also argued that the artwork featured "pagan" imagery.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Greetings" 1:29
2. "Hollywood" (featuring Lisa Papineau) 5:22
3. "Southtown" 4:08
4. "Checkin' Levels" 1:06
5. "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" 3:24
6. "Lie Down" 5:09
7. "Set Your Eyes to Zion" 4:06
8. "Lo Siento" 0:33
9. "Bullet the Blue Sky" (U2 cover) (featuring Lisa Papineau) 5:18
10. "Psalm 150" 0:55
11. "Image" 3:32
12. "Shouts" 0:55
13. "Tribal" 4:26
14. "Freestyle" 3:57
15. "Follow Me" 3:43
16. "Outkast" (ends at 4:16, hidden track "Tambura" begins at 6:22) 9:33
Total length: 57:43

Awards

2000 San Diego Music Awards

  • Album of the Year
  • Song of the Year - "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)"

2001 GMA Dove Awards

  • Short Form Music Video of the Year - "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)"

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

P.O.D.

Additional musicians

Production

  • Robert Green Brooks – engineer, mixing
  • Ernie Vigil – assistant engineer
  • Marc Moncrief – assistant engineer
  • Matt Silva – assistant engineer
  • Howard Benson – mixing
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing (2, 3, 5, 7, 9)
  • Gavin Lurssen – mastering

Imagery

  • Michael Robinson NYC – Art Direction + Design
  • Jean Bastarache – paintings
  • Chapman Baehler – band photos
  • Eric Altenburger – band photo retouching
  • David Allen – band logo

Charts

Limited edition bonus EP

Limited edition bonus EP
EP by
P.O.D.
Released August 24, 1999
Length 18:51
Label Atlantic
Producer P.O.D.

The Limited edition bonus EP was released by P.O.D. as a free CD given away with the purchase of their first mainstream album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, in 1999. It contained a new version of the song "Draw the Line" (from the album Snuff the Punk) and the demo version of "Lie Down" (on The Fundamental Elements of Southtown). It also has the new track "It's About Time", the instrumental demo "Estrella", the intro "Warriors Come Out to Play...", and a track with "Messages for Your Answering Machine". Because of its limited release, it is now considered a collector's item.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Warriors Come Out to Play..." 0:40
2. "Draw the Line" (Fundamental Version) 3:16
3. "It's About Time" (Demo) 4:13
4. "Lie Down" (Demo) 4:23
5. "Estrella" (Demo) 4:33
6. "Messages for your Answering Machine" 1:42